Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind, and the dirt bank which was parallel to the runway.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On January 4, 1997, at 1040 central standard time, a Cessna 182Q, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during landing at Cleburne Municipal Airport near Cleburne, Texas. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The aircraft was registered to the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Inc. and operated by the Texas Wing of the CAP under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Grand Prairie Municipal Airport near Grand Prairie, Texas, at 0930. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight and a flight plan was not filed.
According to the pilot, he was on short final for runway 33 with full flaps (40 degrees) when he became aware of a "cross wind and a high sink rate." The pilot reported that "at about 10 feet [I] started experiencing instability and applied full power for go-around." The pilot further reported that after he landed, he "was unable to maintain aircraft control over runway and climb." The airplane veered off the runway, impacted a dirt berm, and nosed over to the inverted position.
The CAP investigator, who responded to the accident site, reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he found the airplane's flaps in the 40 degree down position. He found the airplane in the inverted orientation aligned approximately 050 degrees. Witnesses reported to the CAP investigator that "the airplane sounded like it was at full power, and it was traveling on the ground approximately 90 degrees to the runway when it hit the dirt berm." The CAP investigator reported to the IIC that the dirt berm, which was parallel to the runway, was located "between 60 to 70 feet east of the runway."
The airplane's Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) states that "in a balked landing (go-around), the wing flap setting should be reduced to 20 degrees immediately after full power is applied." The POH also states that the maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity for this airplane is 15 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW97TA075